Pedal-operating device for pianos.



H. C. KNIGHT.

PEDAL OPERATING DEVICE FOR PIANOS.

APPLICATION FILED MN. 11, 1915.

1,165,681. Patented Dec.28,191.5;

witnesses 6. 541m. @JWMM.

COLUMBIA PLANOORAPH 00.,WASKINOTON, n. c.

STATES PATENT orruon.

HENRY o. KNIGHT, or GUNTER, TEXAS, AssIGNoR or ONE-HALF GUNTER, TEXAS.

T0 WM. B. BAKER, or

PEDAL-OPERATING DEVICE FOR PIANOS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 28, 1915.

Application filed January 11, 1915. Serial No. 1,658.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY C. KNIGHT, a citizen of the United States,residing at Gunter, in the county of Grayson and State of Texas, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Pedal-Operating Devicesfor Pianos, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a pedal attachment for pianos and moreparticularly to a pedal operating device adapted for the use of childrenin order that they may operate the piano pedals While playing; the samebeing readily positioned for use, adjusted as necessary to theconvenience of various persons, and readily removed when not longerrequired.

The invention also consists of certain other novel features ofconstruction and combinations of parts which will be more fullydescribed and claimed, the same being shown in the accompanying drawingsin which Figure 1 is a front elevation. Fig. 2 is a side view. Fig. 3 isa plan view. Fig. 4 is a view in perspective of the locking device.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates a portion of a pianowhich is provided with the usual middle pedal 2 and the side pedals 3.As the pedal attachment hereinafter described is adapted for use withpianos of various forms and sizes, the piano and its usual adjuncts areshown more or less conventionally.

The pedal operating attachment as shown, comprises essentially two frameside pieces 4 and 5, respectively, which are spaced apart and joined bytransverse rods 6 and 7 passing through suitable apertures in them, andthe rods are threaded at both ends and fitted with nuts 8 and 9, betweenwhich the respective sides are clamped and supported. Verticallyslidable and adjustable between these side pieces is a heel rest 10,provided with downwardly extending supports 11 that fit loosely in theguides 12 of the inner surface of the sides; one edge of each supportcarries ratchet teeth 13, which pawls 14 engage and retain the rest atany desired point vertically. Spaced apart and pivotally secured to therod 7 are levers 15 that extend to the pedals 3 and upon the top sidesthereof the ends are adapted to rest. Similarly mounted on the rod 7 andheld adjacent thereto by collars 16 are levers 17 extending paralleltherewith and terminating in foot pieces 18; a lug 19 projects inwardlyfrom the side of the levers 15 in which are threaded thumb screws 20,the ends of same resting against the lower edge of the levers 17 wherebythe foot pieces may be adjusted vertically as desired. For deta chablyconnecting the device with a piano, the side members 1 and 5 areprovided with thumb screws 21 which may be pointed and adjusted so thatwhen the front of the device is raised and the ends placed beneath thepiano, and the device then rested upon the floor, will cause the pointedscrews to slightly enter the bottom of the piano, thus securing itagainst easy movement.

At times in the practice of a pupil it is desirable that the use of thepedals be discontinued; so a locking device is provided consisting of abar extending from one side of the frame to the other and looselypivoted therein. Formed integrally with the lzar are Wings 21, that whenturned downward permit the free action of the piano pedals, but when thewings are turned upward they contact the lower edges of the levers 15and prevent their operation; but a foot rest is still afforded thechild, which is a source of comfort during extended practice.

In the construction as above described, it will be noted that I haveprovided a device which may be readily adjusted into position or removedfrom the piano, and one in which the parts are so adjustable verticallythat the device may be used by children of different sizes, but while Ihave specifically described the construction and relative arrangement ofthe several elements of my invention, I do not desire to be confined tothe same, as such changes or modifications may be made as clearly fallwithin the scope of my invention without departin; from the spiritthereof. I

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is A pedal operating device for pianoscomprising a frame having two side members spaced apart and secured byhorizontally disposed rods, pedal-engaging levers pivotally connectedbetween the sides to one of the rods, vertically adjustable foot leversing the teeth of said supports, as herein 18 pivotally connected to therod adjacent to shown and described.

the pedal-engaging levers, a thumb screw In testimony whereol I afiix mysignamounted in the former and contacting the ture in presence of twowitnesses. lower edge of the latter to regulate their HENRY C. KNIGHTvertical adjustment, together with a vertically adjustable heel resthaving toothed Witnesses:

supports mounted in the frame, and pawls B. E. SHARP, pivoted to thesides of the frame for engag- O. T. HUNT.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

' Washington, I). C.

